Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804) was a Founding Father of the United States, the first Secretary of the Treasury (under President George Washington), author of the Federalist papers, the Father of the United States Coast Guard, and the founder of The New York Post. Hamilton was not born into privilege, but was educated at what is now Columbia University. He died in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr.

"Alexander Hamilton was born on the Caribbean island of Nevis on January 11th, 1757. In 1765, when Alexander was eight years old, he moved with his parents and brother to nearby St. Croix. Over the next four years, Alexander and his brother would lose every relative they had in the area." Published by the AHA Society (Alexander Hamilton Awareness), this site is a compilation of articles, timelines, videos, quotes, and original source documents.

"In 1777, Hamilton became General George Washington's assistant. In 1788, he convinced New Yorkers to agree to ratify the U.S Constitution. He then served as the nation's first secretary of the treasury, from 1789 to 1795. On July 12, 1804, in New York City, Hamilton died of a gunshot wound that he sustained during a duel with Aaron Burr." This one-page biography includes links to related biographies, and a dozen Hamilton quotes.

"Though he never attained the highest office of his adopted country, few of America's founders influenced its political system more than Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804). Born in the British West Indies, he arrived in the colonies as a teenager, and quickly embarked on a remarkable career." In addition to the videos and biography found here, be sure to jump on over to History's 5 Things You Didn't Know About Alexander Hamilton.

Based on an exhibition at the New-York Historical Society, this multimedia exhibit features "some of the rarest and most precious historical objects and documents connected with Alexander Hamilton and the Founding era, including the pistols that Hamilton and Burr used in their deadly duel, original copies of the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and handwritten correspondence between Hamilton and his friends and enemies." Click on Exhibition Virtual Tour to begin.

"The Duel is the story of the conflict between Alexander Hamilton, an architect of the Constitution and designer of American capitalism, and Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States and the first modern politician." Best clicks include Special Features, Timeline, and the Hamilton biography found under People & Events. "This Founding Father came to America alone at age 15. He fought at Washington's side in the Revolution, helped ensure the ratification of the Constitution, and saved the fledgling United States from financial ruin."